At Sutton Sheds, we have been manufacturing quality timber sheds for over 40 years, and we are often asked which is the better investment out of a wooden shed or a plastic one. While both offer practical garden storage, we believe that in terms of value for money, aesthetics and customisation, wooden sheds triumph every time. However, to help you decide which is best for your needs, we have put together a balanced comparison to help you choose the right one for your home and garden.
The benefits of a wooden shed
Wooden sheds are the most popular choice among UK homeowners, for the following reasons:
• Wooden sheds are good-looking – aesthetically, wooden sheds offer a natural, rustic look that will complement any style of garden. Organically, a wooden shed will feel like part of its surroundings, rather than an addition to your space.
• Wooden sheds can be customised to suit your taste - unlike plastic sheds, wooden sheds can be easily painted or stained to match your garden and home. They can also be fitted out or modified with features to suit your needs such as shelving, insulation, windows and doors. At Sutton Sheds, we can create a shed to your own design.
• Wooden sheds are long-lasting and easily repaired - with the correct ongoing treatment and maintenance, a high-quality timber shed will last for decades. Individual timber panels can be replaced or repaired, something not easily done with plastic sheds.
• Timber is sustainable and eco-friendly – wood is a sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable material, with a much lower carbon footprint than plastic.
• Wood is a natural insulator – timber slows the transfer of heat so a wooden shed will remain cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. As well as regulating temperature, timber also reduces condensation, making it valuable in the construction of wooden workshops, timber garages, and wooden potting sheds and summerhouses.
The drawbacks of a wooden shed
• Wooden sheds require ongoing maintenance – a wooden shed will need regular maintenance, normally on an annual basis, to prevent rot and insect infestation. However, the abundance of quality wood preservative products on the market makes this an easy task to carry out.
• Wooden sheds have a higher price point than plastic sheds – while wooden sheds are often more expensive than plastic alternatives, their quality, durability and strength justify the cost.
The case for plastic sheds
Undoubtedly, plastic sheds have grown in popularity in recent years, mainly for the following reasons:
• Plastic sheds are low maintenance - plastic sheds don’t need regular painting or treatment as they are naturally rot- and rust-resistant.
• Plastic sheds are lightweight and easy to assemble – plastic sheds can be installed quickly and are relatively easy to be relocated if needed.
• Plastic sheds are weather-resistant – a quality plastic shed is capable of withstanding wet weather and damp conditions without swelling or warping.
The downside to a plastic shed
• The aesthetics of a plastic shed – plastic sheds do not offer the warmth or character of their wooden counterparts. Also, over time they will fade and become brittle with continued exposure to the sun.
• Plastic sheds offer limited customisation - most plastic sheds come in fixed designs and colours. While they can be painted, it is not a straightforward task, requiring careful preparation, including cleaning, sanding, and using a specialist primer and paint for plastic. Adding customised features such as shelving is also difficult.
• Plastic sheds have a huge environmental impact – as plastic comes from non-renewable resources, it is not biodegradable and is a far less sustainable material option than timber.
• Plastic is a poor insulator – a plastic shed offers little to no insulation which makes it unpleasant in extreme weather conditions. A plastic shed will be unbearably hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter.
• Susceptible to wind – plastic sheds are relatively lightweight and therefore prone to being blown over in strong winds.
• Plastic sheds are less secure than wooden ones – generally less secure than a wooden counterpart, a plastic shed is easier to break into.
Why wooden sheds are better than plastic sheds in the long term
Here at Sutton Sheds, we believe that while plastic sheds have their advantages in terms of convenience, timber sheds are the superior choice for homeowners wanting durability, design flexibility, and sustainability. A well-built shed manufactured from quality timber provides reliable storage while also enhancing your garden’s appearance and adding long-term value to your property.
Wooden sheds from Sutton Sheds
As a family-run business based in the heart of Lincolnshire, we produce all our timber structures to order. Our bespoke, custom-build service allows customers to incorporate the design elements they have always wanted in a shed and we believe investing in a high-quality wooden shed means choosing craftsmanship, tradition, and natural beauty that lasts for years to come.
To find out more, contact us today, or call the team on 01526 342777.
